Will It Be Possible to Create A Fully Autonomous Store?

Walking into a convenience store is meant to be quick and seamless, but often when a crowd appears, long lines can make shopping tedious and frustrating. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has made its way into shopping. CEO and Co-Founder Steve Gu sits down with What Just Happened? Host Christine Russo on the direction of AI in retail.

While the use of e-commerce is growing, many consumers still crave physical spaces, including shopping in stores. “I believe that roughly more than 80% of the transactions still happen in the physical world,” Gu said. “As humans, we still need to interact with physical objects and even though many of us are fans online, myself included the majority of the activities we do still happen in the world, and that’s where we think AI can play a huge role.”

AiFi’s new partnership with the Miami Dolphins and the Detroit Lions allows fans to scan a QR code, a credit card, or an app to tap and pay, then they simply grab their item and go back to their intended viewing. “I want them to leave as quickly as possible like a Google search engine because I know their goal is to come and leave so they can focus on their game. And in the end, we want a fully autonomous store, or a shop that can run essentially by itself,” Gu said.

The beauty of AiFi, Gu further explained is that they partner with retailers, they do not compete with them. “We are a technology firm by heart. We’re not retailers but we chose to work with retailers to make all this amazing shopping experience happen because we know the future is in AI,” he said.

AiFi plans to fit its products into more local mom-and-pop stores and other venues around the world. “The best part of our system is that we can support different types of users, all based on the same operating platform. We tailor it to the needs of the client because we are flexible to work with, and we want to provide solutions,” Gu said.

More Stories Like This:

Introducing “What Just Happened?” with Christine Russo

AI is Driving Market Personalization

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

cargo theft
Beyond Cargo: Protecting Drivers, Assets, and the Bottom Line with AI
December 6, 2024

In the first half of 2024, cargo theft in the United States surged by 49% compared to the same period in 2023, with an average loss per incident of $115,23, according to an August 2024 report by Overhaul. Freight hubs and urban centers like California and Texas remain hot spots, exposing long-standing gaps in supply…

Read More
Stadium Security
From Gates to Game Time: Lessons in Proactive Stadium Security
December 6, 2024

Safety sells—and 69.3% of fans are buying in. According to the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security, nearly three out of four eventgoers factor security into their decision to attend, and many are willing to pay extra for peace of mind. For those charged with event and stadium security, this isn’t just a…

Read More
Perimeter Security
Beyond the Fence: Proactive Perimeter Security with Video Analytics
December 5, 2024

Your facility’s perimeter is not just a boundary—it’s the first line of defense against potential threats. If you manage security for a corporate headquarters, manufacturing site, transportation facility, or university campus, you have felt the pressure to get ahead of those looking to do harm. We talk with your colleagues every day and they live…

Read More
AI in Physical Security
AI in Physical Security: Expert Success Stories Dispel Falsehoods
December 5, 2024

The fall of 2024 raises security concerns around events public and private. Increased foot traffic and high-profile events including an election make it harder to maintain a secure environment, especially in busy places like schools, universities, public gathering spaces/events, and healthcare facilities. Every day, security teams face the task of identifying and responding to threats…

Read More